I think Obama should share some blame, anyway he is the one sit in that seat.
the reason I think is his lack of experience in economics.
He is a lawyer, macro economy is no kid's homework. So he handled it naively or poorly.
If you look at China, PM Wen has been around since 1980s, so he is more practical more sophisticated.
Maybe it's time for US to change it's political system. You guys need a real genius who knows everything to be in oval office, otherwise something is going to screw up.
In China/russia president take charge of political/diplomatic, PM take charge of economy, which is just easier for anyone.
In US you need a superman.

FDR presided over saving the US and indeed the entire world from collapse brought by the incompatibility of traditional "gold standard" monetary system and the newly emerging economy based on global trading. Indeed, he laid foundations of the rise of the US to the industrial and military superpower. It is absurd and counterfactual to imply that his economic policies were "destructive and moronic", Glen Beck notwithstanding.
The anti-business nature of Obama policies is, I believe, another meme that the far right is pushing, and equally untrue. The hollowing of US manufacturing happened over last 15 years or more; blaming Obama for loss of GDP is like losing your wallet in the forest and looking for it under the streetlight because that's where you realized that it's gone.
GDP is about productivity. Everything that increases productivity is pro-business; therefore education and healthcare are actually pro-business in the long term---look at Germany which has actually lower unemployment than the US and beats us in exports (as someone else said, we're not competing with China---we're competing with Germany in exporting to China).
We in the US should play to our strengths: good industrial infrastructure, tradition of entrepreneurship and inventiveness, rule of law, good education system, and social harmony based on a perception of justice and fairness. It is smart and patriotic to support these pillars of our own success; that includes being willing to pay for them.
Clearly, we live in interesting times, on a cusp of change from old to new technologies. Computers, biotechnology, and clean energy are replacing the traditional technologies---and we are well-positioned to take the lead in them if we keep looking forward, beyond the petty politics and short-term self-interest.

Outsourcing and far-land manufacturing aint newly found, they've been here since 25 years. 5 years before you could see US malls full with "Made in China" products, neither 10 years before too. US was in lead of innovation, creativity, solutions however went to far on leaving low-level tasks on others shoulders in different countries. Emerging powers caught us at some points where we lead, now we are battling for currency or material sources where we are heavily depended on these low-end solution providers cause our economy is damaged and we need more money for recovery.
These main issues wont change by Obama or by someone else since Americans wont turn back to path where they were at lead for decades. Perhaps its time for another 'Mission to moon' where new breath taking technologic solutions would be revealed at US.

"The decision about where to invest was made on grounds of cost, best capability, and lowest risk."
Yes, business is not about nationalism or patriotism, it's about making money. And in certain instances of design & manufacturing decisions, the U.S. is and has been considered a "low-cost/high-profit" center of operations, regardless of who occupies the Congress or the White House.
Having said that, pro-business policies would certainly encourage greater investment in the U.S. than anti-business policies. Duh!

I don't particularly agree much with the position espoused in the article. Now, to suggest that the Obama administration were the ONLY problem would of course be incorrect, and the trends listed in the article would help make it clear that manufacturing in America has had issues long before this latest administration. However, for Mr. Hutchinson to fail to note the quite recent call by Intel's CEO for this administration to do something right in terms of US manufacturing causes me to think the author has missed some significant things (by accident or otherwise). Furthermore, to suggest that since Intel is now launching the building of a manufacturing facility is in some way a vote of confidence in the Obama administration's general business approach or its approach in terms of manufacturing in particular is, well, silly. I expect that Intel will do what it needs to do in spite of this administration. On another note, this article seems to suggest that this administration is at a loss for things it could do to improve the competitiveness of US manufacturing - and I agree. However, the author suggests that ANY administration would be likewise hampered and here I don't agree at all; there is plenty that could be done and assistance from a congenial congress (that has been available to this administration) makes this administration's ineffectiveness stand out.

Dan says, "The future is always uncertain and the whole point about investing is that it happens when it makes business sense. There has to be some long-term expectation of profitability." Exactly. And Obama's policies - possible massive new regulation and possible massive new taxation - are creating, what? UNCERTAINTY!!! about whether or not businesses will be to expect to be profitable. If you don't know if you're going to get reamed by Uncle Sam or not, you don't know if you're going to make a profit. It's not that complicated. Finally Dan, just because 2 companies are still expanding in the US doesn't mean a lot more aren't. There is a record amount of cash sitting on the sidelines right now waiting to see what will happen in 2011 and beyond.

Outsourcing jobs and keeping jobs in the nation have always be a hot political topic. However, they are an economical topic as well. The reality is if the cost of producing is high in a place, there will be no chance of keeping production in the place. Imagine how much you will have to pay if a T-shirt is manufactured in US. It is true that outsourcing will keep US corporations stay competitive. It is also true that keeping people employed will maintain the healthiness of a nation. There is a balance between them. It is the politicians' job to find the balance. Another reality is policy is just as uncertain as business is.

I am reading a trend to blame Obama for every dog dying in the streets. The truth is that US is going from a very rough patch and US has seen her part of the glory. I agree with Dan that for business to prosper it should be profitable. Government can surely bend policies and give more incentive to companies to keep their business in the country but is it capitalism or socialism?